Band

Wyatt beams and pushes Katie to a nice spot off to the side with a good view of the stage, but out of the way of too many people. He spreads the blanket on the ground and helps Katie get settled onto it, then goes and gets their food. They eat and chat for a while, before the main event begins to take place.

The shrill sound of feedback causes everyone to cringe, as the even coordinator steps up on stage to a microphone. After a moment of someone in the back adjusting the sound, the man smiles. “Thanks to everyone who’s come tonight. I hope you all are enjoying each other and the food. I know I have been.” He laughs. “Be sure to take advantage of the games we’ve got set up around the park, though please, just a little reminder, if you’ve got trash, throw it in one of the many trash cans there are surrounding the park.” He checks his notes. “Right now, I’d like to introduce you to our live entertainment for the evening, please welcome our favorite local band, Jetstream!”

Clapping echoes through the clearing, a couple loud whistles carrying over the noise.

The coordinator claps, and smiles. As the band exits the tent. “I’ll turn it over to you, guys. Have at it.”


The tall lighting designed to illuminate the stage for the performers is bright, making it hard to see the number of people gathered in the park. The four band members make their way onto stage quietly, at first not easily distinguished, settling in with their instruments and whispering amongst themselves.

Jason’s back is turned to the audience as he adjusts his headset microphone and picks up the electric guitar for now, slinging it over his shoulder. He’s dressed differently than normal, with a tucked-in white collard shirt with rolled-up sleeves, tight black jeans, and cowboy boots. His hair is gelled to give it a slight spike, and he’s left his five o’clock shadow, bringing him a rugged look.

Glancing at his band mates, he nods to the drummer.

Mike clicks off his drum sticks. “One, two, three, four!”

The music erupts, and Jason spins around on center stage, walking to the front as he skillfully runs his hand along the guitar strings, letting it all go. He hits his cue to sing right on, and the light rock and roll sound is a contagious enthusiasm to the crowd.


Wyatt’s eyes widen in total shock. No way. He glances to Katie. Had she known about this? What on earth…?


Jason looks out at the audience, a smile playing at his mouth as he sings without holding back. He expertly makes eye contact with several people, drawing them into the music as they begin to clap along. His voice carries like a finely tuned instrument, never out of key.

As the songs continue, styles shift from a bit of country, to a little bit of blues, and back to rock and roll. Most of the crowd ends their games and eating, spreading out on the lawn just to listen.


Dazed and confused I hit the road a runnin’
No one behind me, to keep me in line.
Said I was right, I knew just were I was goin’
Little did I know what it was I would find.

I didn’t think my life was worth tryin’ any harder,
The memories of past just wouldn’t let me go.
Then I woke up one morning to find what I was needing…

Oh she caught me by surprise, turned me upside down.
Couldn’t think of hiding, wasn’t worth it no more.
She gave my life new meaning, showed me what it was like,
I couldn’t keep on running, had to let my heart soar.


Dazed and confused, I was strugglin’ for some meaning,
Didn’t think I’d ever make it, couldn’t see my way ahead.
Thought I had a handle on all that I could do,
But surprises were a waitin’ no matter what I’d said.

I didn’t think my life was worth tryin’ any harder,
The memories of past just wouldn’t let me go.
Then I woke up one morning to find what I was neading…

Oh she caught me by surprise, turned me upside down.
Couldn’t think of hiding, wasn’t worth it no more.
She gave my life new meaning, showed me what it was like,
I couldn’t keep on running, had to let my heart soar.

Oh she caught me by surprise, turned me upside down.
Couldn’t think of hiding, wasn’t worth it no more.
She gave my life new meaning, showed me what it was like,
I couldn’t keep on running, had to let my heart soar.


Jason continues to be the highlight, entertaining especially a group of girls near the front who clap the loudest. He moves along the stage smoothly as if he’d been doing it all his life, and his voice seems to go on forever.